Alternatives · Payroll
Payroll4Free alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Payroll4Free alternative for most people is OnPay (2.6 GPA), first in our ranking of payroll services.
Payroll4Free compared with 4 alternatives: Wagepoint, OnPay, Patriot Payroll and Gusto.
Payroll4Free has a free plan. None of the alternatives has a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Payroll4Free sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll4FreeThis tool | Free plan | Yes | Web |
| Wagepoint | Free trial · from $20/mo | Trial only | Web |
| OnPay | Free trial · from $49/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Patriot Payroll | Free trial · from $17/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Gusto | From $49/mo | No | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Payroll4Free
Wagepoint
Canadian payroll with T4s, ROEs and optional time tracking
- Wagepoint starts at $20 per month, plus $4 per employee or contractor.
- Wagepoint has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Payroll4Free.
- Wagepoint also covers time clock.
Suits: Canadian small businesses that want flat, published payroll pricing
OnPay
US payroll with published prices, plus HR and time add-ons
- OnPay starts at $49 per month, plus $6 per worker paid.
- OnPay has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Payroll4Free.
- OnPay also lists iOS and Android apps.
- OnPay also covers time tracking.
- OnPay does not cover time off, which Payroll4Free does.
Suits: Small US businesses that want to know the price without a sales call
Patriot Payroll
Low-cost online payroll for small US businesses
- Patriot Payroll starts at $17 per month, plus $4 per worker paid (half price for the first 3 months).
- Patriot Payroll has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Payroll4Free.
- Patriot Payroll also covers time tracking.
- Patriot Payroll does not cover time off, which Payroll4Free does.
Suits: Very small US businesses that want a low monthly base fee
Gusto
Payroll and HR for small businesses, with apps for owners and staff
- Gusto starts at $49 per month, plus $6 per person paid (Simple).
- Gusto has no free plan, unlike Payroll4Free.
- Gusto also lists iOS and Android apps.
- Gusto also covers time tracking and expense tracking.
- Gusto does not cover reports and time off, which Payroll4Free does.
Suits: Small US businesses paying W-2 employees and contractors
Limits worth knowing in Payroll4Free
- Free only for 9 or fewer people paid no more than once monthly; the site publishes no prices beyond that.
- Tax filing for you (Payroll Tax Service) and deposits through its bank (Direct Deposit Service) are paid, with no price shown.
- Each extra state or location carries a fee the site does not price. Payroll is for US businesses only.
- The FAQ says it needs a small browser extension, and Macs must run Windows to use it.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Payroll4Free?
The alternatives to Payroll4Free in this directory are Wagepoint, OnPay, Patriot Payroll and Gusto. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Payroll4Free.
Is there a free alternative to Payroll4Free?
None of the alternatives listed here has a free plan. Wagepoint, OnPay and Patriot Payroll offer a free trial.
Which Payroll4Free alternatives work on Android?
The Payroll4Free listing does not include an Android app. OnPay and Gusto list one.
Which Payroll4Free alternatives work on iOS?
The Payroll4Free listing does not include an iOS app. OnPay and Gusto list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.